Chelsea Set to Land Moises Caicedo with Stunning £111m Bid, Rejecting Liverpool's Advances

Moises Caicedo appears to have turned down the opportunity to join Liverpool and instead desires a transfer to Chelsea, even though the Reds had agreed upon a British-record fee of £111m with Brighton.

Following a midnight deadline set on Thursday for bids on the midfielder, Brighton accepted Liverpool's offer. It is believed that Chelsea was willing to offer £100m for the player.

Caicedo was initially slated to journey to Liverpool for a medical examination on Friday; however, he is currently residing in London and has unequivocally expressed his desire to depart from Brighton solely for Chelsea, the club that has been actively pursuing him throughout the summer. It is worth noting that Chelsea has not yet presented an enhanced offer.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi expressed, "I have completely put Moises out of my mind. I take immense pride in the talented individuals we have assembled in our team. While bigger clubs may acquire our players, they will never be able to acquire our essence or determination."

Following Caicedo's apparent interest in joining Anfield, Liverpool officially submitted their proposal on Thursday night.

"The club has agreed on the fee," confirmed Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp, on Friday. "We will assess the implications. We are not a club with unlimited resources, and we did not anticipate certain events occurring this summer. However, they did happen."

According to We News, Liverpool engaged in negotiations with Brighton to establish the financial details of a potential deal, as a backup plan in case Chelsea failed to reach an agreement or were unwilling to do so.

Liverpool were informed just after midnight that they were indeed the highest bidders.

Brighton signed Caicedo for £4.5m from Independiente del Valle in 2021.

'Chelsea haven't thrown in the towel - but it'll take a lot to sway the deal'

Chelsea has not given up yet, as they are now proposing better personal conditions for the player.

In order for this to work, Caicedo would have to be uncooperative and insist on moving only to Stamford Bridge. Additionally, Chelsea would have to persuade Brighton to go back on their deadline and surpass Liverpool's offer, despite already missing it.

"Brighton made it clear to both clubs and the midfielder that they wanted a speedy resolution to prevent disruption to the start of their season."

Uncertainty in Liverpool amid potential Caicedo 'loyalty' to Chelsea interest

Liverpool have only confirmed that they have reached an agreement on the fee with Brighton. However, sources have revealed their fear that Chelsea might reenter the picture, indicating that this deal is far from certain. The concern revolves around the player and his representatives, who seem to believe that Chelsea has been the main contender throughout the entire pre-season due to their expressed interest. There may also be a sense of loyalty towards Chelsea in play.

Analysis: Brighton's business model pays off again as Reds complete midfield rebuild

"Brighton had been persistent all summer in their desire to retain Moises Caicedo. However, the offer presented by Liverpool was simply too enticing to disregard, especially considering the fact that they had acquired the player for a mere £4.5m in 2021. This constitutes a remarkable profit and serves as yet another exemplary instance of astute transfer dealings by the south coast club, building on the impressive gains they have achieved through talents like Alexis Mac Allister and Marc Cucurella."

The Seagulls' ability to maintain their status as a competitive team, known for playing exciting football under Roberto De Zerbi, is a clear indication of their successful business approach and effective management.

At just 21 years old, Caicedo possesses immense potential to excel in world football. In the previous Premier League season, he stood out as an exceptional defensive midfielder, ranking second in both tackles and interceptions, solidifying his position as a top player in the league.

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Analysis: From tearful teen to in-demand star

In the aftermath of Ecuador's World Cup departure in the previous year, while his fellow teammates sought luxurious vacations at exclusive resorts, Moises Caicedo returned to his humble beginnings in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. He participated in a grassroots tournament, stepping onto the same well-worn pitch that had shaped him as a young boy.

Caicedo, a promising player in the Premier League and the youngest scorer for Ecuador at a World Cup, gained national attention when a video surfaced online. In the video, Caicedo scores a goal for Caicedos FC, a team consisting of his extended family. Despite the rundown conditions of the pitch, his goal at the near post secured victory in the tournament. Caicedo celebrated by leaping, pumping his fist, and acknowledging the small crowd of spectators sitting or leaning on the fences.

"Meet Moises," Miguel Angel Ramirez, Caicedo's ex-coach at his childhood club Independiente del Valle, says warmly. "He returns to his village, his family, his friends, and engages in football, providing assistance to everyone there. His people are always on his mind..."